Washington State 2011

I have spent some time going through our pictures from our time in WA this summer...all 473 of them...not counting the ones on our phones...

I thought I would narrow it down to 'a typical day at the beach'...
But that was still 41 pictures....
and that seemed like a lot of pictures for as relaxing as those days were...
so...
hang tight for post after post after post of our summer in Washington.

If you think that might be boring...then come back to this little blog in about a month...
Just kidding...kinda. :)

You have been forewarned.

If you do choose to check in on a regular basis, brace yourself for some serious beauty and possibly some waves of jealousy...

Because yes, it really is that beautiful...and yes, this Midwestern girl feels like she is living a dream the entire time she is there...and yes, we feel overwhelmingly blessed that this is part of our lives.

A HUGE thank you to Mom and Dad for always making our weeks at the beach memorable and relaxing. You are such a blessing and we are so grateful for all the time, energy and resources you put into making our time with you at your place nothing short of AMAZING.

We love you both.

Cue photo montage.

E Man Turns 4

Eli went ahead and did it...
He turned 4 without even asking.

We were in WA for his bday this year. We learned last year that he is not a BIG PARTY kind of guy...so just us and Boppi and GrandBob was perfect.

E is totally into sea creatures and sharks right now...he can name almost ANY sea creature he sees in a book. He knows about 12 shark varieties by sight. Just point to it in a book and he will tell you, "Oh, that is a lemon shark." (or basking shark. or nurse shark. or whale shark. or white tip shark. or blue shark. or thresher shark. or ornate wobegong shark. I. am. not. kidding. It is so. cool.)

So, knowing his current love for all things sea creature-y Boppi knocked it out of the park with some sea decorations and a SHARK CAKE!!!

The Bday dinner table. Complete with sea stars, dolphins and fish for the center piece.

Isn't it cute? Great job, Boppi!

We watched Daddy cast a bit.

Little did he know that he was getting his VERY OWN fishing pole for his birthday.

He became very proficient at casting in no time at all.

(notice the shark in hand...LOVES it!)

We played on the beach a little.

Went for a paddle boat ride.

Kept very quiet in attempts to catch a flounder...

(catching a flounder was on his personal summer list)

Felt something tug at our line...

Reeled it in with Daddy...

It was a tiny flounder!

More excited than he appears...

Promise.

Fish kiss...

For luck??

Chloe...clearly excited about the flounder...

THE SHARK CAKE!!

(made from scratch...all natural banana cake...YUM!)

Didn't Boppi and Eli do a great job?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, E!

You are such a gift.

You love God's creation so much.

You want to know everything about everything.

Right now...we think you will be a scientist...specifically focusing on sea creatures and insects.

Some of your most vivid memories are those that you interact with nature.

Whether it is at the Aquarium or on Cap'n Jimmy's boat...you remember all the details and love to tell others about your experiences.

In recent months, you have started initiating praying for all sorts of things.

We love to see your relationship with the Lord starting to develop.

You are sweet and kind.

Strong willed and determined.

You are a snuggler.

You notice things...like my toenails and hair.

We are in love with you and are so thankful to be your Mommy and Daddy.

4 is gonna be GREAT!

My Thoughts on Bathing Suit Shopping

It. Stinks.

It stinks so badly that I have been wearing the same brown and white polka-dotted swimsuit for going on 4 years now. It was a cute enough suit once. It was not the size of my choosing (read: fitting of a 16 year old figure), but it covered parts that needed to be covered and draped over parts that needed to be draped.

But, the time has come to find another.

OH, BOTHER. (read with Eore voice.)

I have previously shared my opinions on skinny jeans...
Well, bathing suits are 10 times worse...for multiple reasons.

My bum and belly pudge being the top two.

Is it just me? Or do you think the mirrors at Target are secretly 'fun house' mirrors minus the 'fun.' I honestly think I gain 10 pounds in those dressing rooms. Maybe it is the fluorescent lighting...or the Molten Lava Chocolate cake that is half eaten in the bowl next to me as I type...or the Starburst Jelly Beans I topped off this afternoon...or my lack of exercising.

But whatever it is...I. Hate. Bathing Suit Shopping.
It makes me grumpy.

Our Summer List 2011

See Family in WA - Go Fishing in GA and WA - Whale Watching - Ride a Horse -

SPRAY PARK - Boat Ride - AQUARIUM - Eat Ice Cream - Become best friends with a Mermaid and Ride a Seahorse* - Ride a Shark and Octopus - Go Camping - Potty train Eli -

Eat Popsicles - Swim lessons - Outdoor Movie Night - Zoo - Frances Meadows Water Park - READ - Raspberry Devonshire Pie - Cook out with friends -CRAFTS - catch fireflies - play in sprinklers - Journal - Picnic at the Lake

* you might think you know who contributed this summer goal...Chloe? Right?

Nope. Kevin. Kevin wants to become best friends with a mermaid and take a ride on a seahorse...our list started to go down the fantastical trail immediately after he offered this idea...we did not include all of them here...and cut them off after 'riding a shark and octopus.'

Our kids will never be accused of not having imaginations thanks to Kevin. :)

Summer List Idea from Meg over at Whatever

Memorial Day Rewind

In anticipation of our local Memorial Day parade tomorrow...I remembered a video I posted a couple years ago.

Not gonna lie...I have watched this over and over...

Cried each time.

How did he get so BIG?!?!


Thank you to all the men and women who have fought and are fighting to maintain our freedoms. We are grateful.

Camp Kevin

On our First Official Day of Summer, Kevin knocked it out of the park by offering to watch C and E and the Moore kids for a few hours while Stephanie and I went to lunch.

I. Know.
He. Is. Amazing.

If you are a husband and you are reading this...take some pointers.
Steal his ideas if you have to.
But bless your wife by doing this.
You may even have some fun while you are at it.

The Moores pulled up in their van and out of nowhere, Kevin shows up in a hula skirt (or table skirt...same diff) and leis shouting, 'ALOOOOOHA!'

The kids knew they were in for a good time.

First things first:
Lunch.

After lunch:

Craft.

(insert picture of kids making paper leis here...oops.)

Then:

Outside for ice cold watermelon.

(Keep your eye on that tooth on Chloe...it was the last day it was in her mouth...and let's just say...revisit my post about her other tooth and double the disgusting factor.)

These kids can eat A LOT of watermelon.

Hammock time.
Abi, Ali and Chloe

Eli and Nate

Amelia's view from the upstairs window.

(It must be noted that Kevin also wore a baby monitor for the majority of Camp Kevin so that he could hear Amelia when she woke up from her nap. Jamey, Amelia's Daddy, will be relieved to read this.)

Kevin was surprised by how long they stayed busy in this mud pit.

Eli squatted in that position for 30 minutes, easy.

Another show of patience.

Chloe and Abi were trying to fill the water hop-scotch with a tiny stream of water.

Kevin and Pirate Nate

with the 'treasure map'

The beginning of the treasure hunt.

They were trying to find a secret snack.

still at it....

The Whole Gang

Kevin and the girls.

The treasure aka Secret Snack.

Which was found inside one of our kayaks.

Buy cotton candy and Sprite.

Pour Sprite into a cup, drop a clump of cotton candy into the Sprite.

Watch it change colors.

This is really fun for kids.

And who couldn't use a little more sugar in Sprite, right??

End of the day...

Sporting the paper leis and the treasure map.

Super fun beginning to the summer!

Thank you, Kevin.

We will take you up on this offer as often as you offer it...

HAPPY SUMMER!!

Last Days of Kindergarten

The end of the school year what a flurry of activities...

Chloe received a certificate for being 'Nature Smart'

An end of the year slide show was shown...

as soon as Justin Beaver (I know...Beiber...shhh...don't tell Chloe)

started singing, the ENTIRE gym erupted in "Baby,Baby,Baby...Ohhh!"

It was really funny.

For the end of the year party, Chloe's class walked from the school to Pizza Hut...

from Pizza Hut to the park...

and from the park back to the school.

It was a lot of walking, but the kids were good sports and I am sure every single one of them napped that afternoon. :)

Yes...that IS a lot of Kindergartners.

:)
Yohana, Chloe and Ella at Pizza Hut

Iliana, Yohana, Chloe, Ella, Adler and Mayshia at the park.

Granna was in town for the celebration and

The Yard Sale of the Year!!

May say more about that at another time...but it is safe to say:

"Hi, my name is Sarah and I am a stroller hoarder."

Blue Belle Ice Cream at the park!

Chloe, Ella, Yohana, and Adler

Chloe's Completion of Kindergarten Certificate

(following her receipt of the certificate, she had a mini-meltdown...sad to be leaving Ms. Todd...sad to not be in Kindergarten anymore...just sad. Goodbyes have always been hard for our tender hearted girl. Love her spirit...but we hurt when she hurts.)

Pulled ourselves together for a hug and a picture.

Kevin and I lead an art time on the last day of school.

We got our idea here.

That is an amazing blog and resource.

You are welcome.

Chloe's Giant Squid

We were pleased with every one's interpretations.

One last picture with Ms. Todd.

We even ran into our friend Mary-Carter

from PreK at Corner Drug when we stopped for 50 cent ice cream cone!